Mascara Monday: Maybelline XXL Pro Volume

Good ole’ Maybelline has graced us with not one, not two but FOUR new mascaras under the XXL Pro by EyeStudio line. Now if you know anything about Maybelline mascaras, you may remember the original XXL mascaras. I’ve reviewed the Volume and Lengthening before. Don’t quote me on this, but I think that the XXL Pro will replace the XXL mascaras. Aside from the colors, the packaging doesn’t change so it makes me wonder if the formulations have.Of course the only way to figure this out is by reviewing them.

First up…volume!!

Maybelline XXL Pro Volume

Hit the jump to see if it rocks or rolls…into the garbage can, that is.

Price: 5 out of 5

Packaging (Brush Wand): 3 out of 5Overall: 3.5 out of 5

What it claims: Per the packaging…

The truth:It’s aight…I don’t know about this microfiber thing. I didn’t experience any of that.

What I loved about it: Um, I couldn’t find anything to REALLY love about it.

What I didn’t like: I don’t feel like I got enough volume. Boo!

Overall: I always have high expectations for mascaras that claim to volumize. These mascaras excite me more than lengthening and curling mascaras. Volume=bigger and lusher lashes and that’s just so me! Maybelline XXL Pro Volume, like all of the XXL Pro mascaras, are dual ended.

You’ve got a primer on one end and the mascara on the other.

La Primer…

La Mascara…

I’m not the biggest fan of these wands. I mean…they aren’t bad but I wish they the bristles were a little further out. Now here’s the thing about the primer…although it goes on white, it disappears after applying the mascara.

I know, what you’re thinking, “What’s the point of this mascara? And does it really make a difference?” Truth is…it does! Watch this…

Lashes without mascara

(did not curl lashes)

Lashes with 3 coats of mascara

First the primer…

…and then viola!

Left eye: mascara WITH primer

Right eye: just mascara

Quite the difference, uh? So while it seems like an unnecessary step, the primer actually works. But I’m not all that impressed with the volume I got. Because I didn’t get much. Lengthening was good but come on…where’s the cream filling?

I also found this baby to be a tad bit flaky. Could it be because my lashes were coated too much? Maybe.

can't wait to see what you think about the XXL 24-hr bold. i bought it about a month ago and i just can't bring myself to love it. i also can't really figure out what the two separate steps are for. eh.

Jade

I bought the 24HR Bold and was so disappointed! Not only did it smudged after a few hours, but there was little volume! I returned it to Walgreens (hassle-free). My search for a smudge-free, volumizing mascara continues!

Darea

I purchased this item Jan2012 and I totally hate that I did… It’s very clumpy it’s not easy wash off material.. Please Do Not Buy This Item it Doesn’t Work…

Joy

I love your mascara reviews! Being Asian, I’ve got thin and short eyelashes and have to use an eyelash curler ALL the time. My obsession with mascara started in January 2012 during my wedding day! My husband’s sister did my make-up and she did a great job with my eyelashes! So now, whenever I can (and afford it) I try different mascaras whenever I’m out shopping.

So enough of the long intro…sorry! I came across Maybelline XXL Pro Volume couple of months ago at Bed Bath and Beyond, it was on sale so out of curiosity I grabbed it because I’ve never tried an eyelash primer before. I wasn’t impressed with the volume but the lengthening factor was great. Although, I’ve noticed that everytime I use it my eyes get irritated (I wear contacts) and it dawned on me that its the mascara’s fault. I made an “experiment” to see whether its the primer or the mascara that irritates my eye and I used them separately. Well, the verdict was they BOTH cause my eye to get all itchy and red. So disappointed.

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3 weeks agoby clumpsofmascaraMy first time eating a blood orange. Creeps me out a little.